Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 63 (Sunday, June 21st)

Hi Folks,

Good Monday to you. Hope you Dads out there had a great day yesterday. I also hope you're rested as we've got a boatload of news for you today. Let's get to it.

J

SITE NEWS

A. 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine - For FREE
All the fantasy magazines you see on the newsstand in July were written in June. They all cost $7 or more. I've got two questions: #1. Would you like to read that magazine now? #2. Would you like it for FREE? If you answered, yes, Footballguys has you covered. We've changed the game this year making our 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide magazine available to everyone with internet access. You don't have to be a paying Footballguys subscriber. If you can get online, you can get our Magazine. It's 100% FREE. Call it our "Footballguys Stimulus Package". Enjoy.

B. Footballguys Rate My Team Application
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MIN - Agent Cook denies QB Brett Favre has contract with team

Source: Rick Alonzo, The Pioneer Press

Rick Alonzo, of the Pioneer Press, reports retired QB Brett Favre's (Jets) agent, Bus Cook, denied a report that Favre is already under contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Cook wrote that there is "no contract" when asked about the report.

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First off, understand that Bus Cook denies everything, so it's not a surprise he would deny this too. There are rumors swirling around today that Favre has already signed with the Vikings, but there is no confirmation at this point. When - not if - Favre actually signs with the Vikings it will spread all over the internet faster than "My New Haircut."

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GB - QB Aaron Rodgers to have more control of the offense

Source: Greg A. Bedard, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Greg A. Bedard, of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had limitations on his audibles last season, but it appears he is going to have more options at his disposal this season.

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Rodgers believes he is going to be given more responsibility at the line of scrimmage this season because the coaching staff trusts him more. There were times he played like a system quarterback last year, but his teammates told him to let loose a bit. The ability to audible at the line of scrimmage should only make Rodgers a more dangerous QB.

Rodgers also said he's more focused. He said he isn't paying attention to the hype of the Chicago Bears adding QB Jay Cutler or the Minnesota Vikings potentially adding former Packers QB Brett Favre. 'I'm so focused on what I'm doing, what our team is doing,' Rodgers said. There's a good chance that Rodgers will have to face off against Favre a couple of times this year, so it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure of playing against the man he replaced last year.

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JAC - WR Torry Holt comes full circle

Source: Charlie Bernstein, Jagnation.com

Charlie Bernstein, from Jagnation.com, reports veteran receiver Torry Holt went from bright-eyed rookie to full blown superstar wideout, and during that time he earned seven Pro Bowl selections. In 2008, Torry's production dropped significantly as the Rams struggled mightily, both with their quarterback situation and in the win/loss department. Holt's 64 catches for 796 yards and three touchdowns were the lowest since his rookie season of 1999.

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Holt learned from one of the best in the game, Isaac Bruce, and he now gets a chance to "pay it forward" to some very talented young receivers in Jacksonville. Being a mentor doesn't mean that Torry will not contribute, quite the contrary in fact according to Jags coordinator Dirk Koetter. "He's looked good," Koetter said. "He doesn't run like he once did, and when we became interested in Torry we watched a lot of film on him and Torry has explained to me that he knows how to take care of himself and be ready when the time comes. You've got to take him on his word on that." He should be a very positive influence on players like Jarett Dillard and Mike Thomas.

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NO - RB Pierre Thomas best kept secret in the league?

Source: Jeff Duncan, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jeff Duncan, from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, writes - Reggie Bush led the NFL with nine touchdowns in the first seven games last season, but did you know Pierre Thomas scored nine touchdowns in the final six games once he assumed the lead-back role in the offense? He might be the best-kept secret in the league.

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Subscribers to our newsletter know that we've been talking about Pierre Thomas for quite some time now. Originally known as "the guy who kept Rashard Mendenhall on the bench in college" should now be a fantasy household name as we enter the 2009 season. Pro rating his five games as a starter, Thomas was on pace for 1,238 yards rushing, 48 receptions, 467 yards receiving and 26 touchdowns! Now we don't expect him to match those numbers, but around 1,000 yards rushing with double digit touchdowns is not out of the question. Grab Thomas in every league you can before your leaguemates get wise to the situation in New Orleans.

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CLE - OC Daboll says QB Anderson v Quinn is an open competition

Source: Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator for the Browns, says Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn are both working for the starting QB job. "Both of them have been in early and out late. They're working extremely hard. They're competitive with one another. They're learning the system the best they can. There's some mistakes out there and some other days they're doing really well. Right now it's an open competition. The best player is going to win."

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We've seen reports like this before, and we've also seen some that proclaim Brady Quinn has a slight edge in the competition. The bottom line is we will have to wait until a few weeks into training camp before a starter is named. Anderson has been banged up this offseason, but if he regains his confidence it could be a closer race than some people think.

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SEA - WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh picked up the offense quickly

Source: Eric Williams, The Tacoma News Tribune

Eric Williams, from the Tacoma News Tribune, states T.J. Houshmandzadeh has picked up the offense well, and developed some chemistry with Hasselbeck.

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This is great news not only for Seattle fans, but most importantly for QB Matt Hasselbeck. Adding a talented receiver like Houshmandzadeh can only help Hasselbeck, who is trying to come back from an injury plagued 2008. Not since the days of Darrell Jackson has Seattle had a legitimate #1 receiver, and Housh will team with TE John Carlson and rookie WR Deon Butler to give Seattle a potent air attack.

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NYG - RB Ahmad Bradshaw looks faster than ever

Source: Bob Glauber, Newsday.com

Bob Glauber, from Newsday.com, notes there have been whispers that third-year tailback Ahmad Bradshaw hasn't been putting in the necessary work during the offseason. But Glauber writes, "Could have fooled me. The kid looked faster than he did as a rookie, and his cutting ability and nose for finding a crease in the blocking is uncanny. I'll predict it right now: breakout season for Bradshaw."

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With Derrick Ward gone to the Buccaneers many are expecting Ahmad Bradshaw to step into the #2 spot and not miss a beat. With a career YPC average of 6.1 it's logical to assume that more carries will equal outstanding production for Bradshaw. However, it's much different carrying the ball 182 times (as Ward did in '08) than it is carrying the ball 67 times (as Bradshaw did last year). Plus, one has to wonder if Bradshaw will get as many targets in the passing game (54) as his former teammate Ward did. Derrick Ward finished 2008 as the 23rd ranked RB in fantasy football. If Bradshaw stays healthy and is able to produce as a receiver he has a chance to duplicate those numbers. We don't anticipate Bradshaw matching those statistics so proceed with caution when considering the speedy RB for your fantasy team. Rookie Andre Brown (who is a fantastic receiver) and veteran Danny Ware could be more involved in the Giants offense than some are predicting.

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PHI - HC Reid and QB Donovan McNabb future linked?

Source: Les Bowen, The Philadelphia Daily News

Les Bowen, from the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Andy Reid's future with the Eagles may be linked with his QB Donovan McNabb. Reid's agent, Bob LaMonte, said yesterday that no talks have taken place so far, but agreed that it seems unlikely the man who has coached and won more Eagles games than anyone will get into the final year of his contract without an extension. So something definitely could, maybe likely will, happen this summer.

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Reid's agent also speculated that a new contract with the team should be a no-brainer. "It's been a fabulous relationship, ongoing with the Eagles, and I'd expect it to continue," LaMonte said. He said he anticipated that a new deal for Reid would be "one of the easier things to get done." It seems like the team is taking a "wait and see" approach with both the coach and the QB. Reid is entering the final year of his contract and Bowen believes that Donovan McNabb does not want to do without his coach.

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TB - TE Kellen Winslow should see plenty of chances

Source: Stephen F. Holder, The St. Petersburg Times

The St. Petersburg Times reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Kellen Winslow will be used extensively in the team's offense this year. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski believes in a widespread use of his tight ends.

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The Buccaneers have a thin group of wide receivers that do not have a lot of experience, so the Bucs are going to ask Winslow to be a big part of the passing game. Winslow is playing at tight end and splitting out wide, and could lead the team in catches or at the very least be the 2nd target behind WR Antonio Bryant.

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NFL - RB Maurice Clarett asks to be released early

Source: Associated Press

Clarett was sentenced in September 2006 to serve at least 3 1/2 years for a holdup outside a Columbus bar and a separate highway chase that ended with police finding loaded guns in his SUV. Clarett has asked the Ohio Parole Board for clemency in the form of a pardon, reprieve or commutation of his sentence. His attorney says Clarett has an opportunity to play NFL, arena or Canadian professional football if he's released within the next few months.

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A prosecutor is opposing former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett's request for early release from prison. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says Clarett hasn't made a strong case that he should be released so early in his prison term. If - and that's a big IF - Clarett is released early we can't imagine any team in the NFL falling all over themselves to sign him. If he is to make a comeback he'll most likely have to start in another league like the UFL.

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CIN - WR Laveranues Coles happy in a complimentary role

Source: Associated Press

The Bengals signed WR Laveranues Coles as a free agent in March, the day after top receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh left for Seattle as a free agent. The Bengals insist Coles, who played with Washington and the New York Jets, isn't being viewed as Houshmandzadeh's replacement in the offense. "I love T.J.," receiver Chad Ochocinco said during the team's three-day minicamp. "T.J.'s gone. Laveranues is here. They're two different types of players -- completely different. They have two different types of styles, but they will both be successful."

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Coles has pretty much kept to himself during minicamps and isn't talking much to the media. His teammates on the other hand can't stop raving about Coles. Carson Palmer loves Coles' versatility and expects him to add a dimension to the passing game they haven't had before. "Throughout his seven years here, (Houshmandzadeh) played one specific position," Palmer said. "Laveranues is learning three right now. So he's very versatile. He plays extremely tough. He loves to block. He loves to do the little things. He's complete."

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KC - New Coach Todd Haley the anti-Herman Edwards

Source: Associated Press

Herm Edwards was the kind of coach who would put his arm around players walking through the locker room. Todd Haley takes a little different track. Fiery and blunt, Kansas City's first-year coach is using his no-nonsense approach to try to change a losing culture that's bogged the Chiefs down the past two seasons. After the team completed offseason practices under Haley this week, it's clear everything -- from the workouts to the attitude -- is going to be different around Arrowhead.

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Kansas City is clearly in rebuilding mode and the new coach is feeling his oats, trying to find "his" type of players. He has already called out stars like Larry Johnson and Dwayne Bowe so everyone on the team must know their job is on the line if they don't perform like they should.

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PIT - RB Rashard Mendenhall has matured

Source: Tom Ash, The Sentinel

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is confident Rashard Mendenhall, the former first-round pick, has matured beyond rookie status at this point, having stuck around and been a part of the team's playoff run despite his lack of presence on the field. "It was very hard for (Mendenhall)," Arians said. "For the first time in his life, he had to sit around and watch. Any rookie that goes through that for the first time, they have a tendency to step back and hide because they don't feel like they're part of the team anymore. "As the season progressed, as we got into the playoffs, he was around every day."

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Rashard Mendenhall will split time with starter Willie Parker, and the Steelers are hopeful that he can stay healthy and develop into a feature RB for the team. If Mendenhall can adjust to the speed of the game, do a good job in pass protection, and run with more authority he could take over for Parker in 2010.

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NFL - WR Peter Warrick wants to play in the NFL again

Source: David Haugh, The Chicago Tribune

David Haugh, from the Chicago Tribune, reports former Bengals/Seahawks WR Peter Warrick still has a passion to play in the NFL. He hasn't played in the big outdoor league since 2005, before the Seahawks made him one of their final cuts the next season. But it would be easier for Warrick to remove the Heisman Trophy tattoo on his left arm with the words "Can't Take This" inscribed than get rid of the itch he has to play.

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Warrick may have a chance of playing in the UFL, but at this point in his career he is a longshot to make it in the big league. It's ironic that his college teammate Laveranues Coles (who was thought of as a lesser talent) has played longer, and has been more successful than Warrick in the NFL.

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NO - QB Joey Harrington has failed to impress

Source: Jeff Duncan, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jeff Duncan, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, says that QB Joey Harrington has failed to impress as the Saints 3rd-string QB.

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Harrington was supposed to be a special reclamation project for coach Sean Payton, but so far has been a disappointment in New Orleans after showing flashes during his short stint in Atlanta. The Saints would be in trouble if starter Drew Brees went down with an injury as they'd have to rely on 38-year old backup Mark Brunell.

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SEA - RB Devin Moore in the hunt to make team

Source: Eric Williams, The Tacoma News Tribune

Eric Williams, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports Seattle Seahawks RB Devin Moore and FB David Kirtman are in the hunt to make the team's final roster. Moore will likely go to the team's practice squad.

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Devin Moore is the blazing fast RB from Wyoming that didn't get a combine invite in 2009. He was at the Texas vs The Nation Game in El Paso, but didn't stand out compared to RBs like Bernard Scott and Frank Summers. He is great running in a straight line, but doesn't have crazy ankle breaking moves in the open field as he runs a little out of control. He could be effective as a receiver out of the backfield and maybe a return man in the NFL.

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SEA - QB Mike Teel and QB Jeff Rowe fighting to make team

Source: Eric Williams, The Tacoma News Tribune

Eric Williams, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports Seattle Seahawks QB Mike Teel and QB Jeff Rowe are in the hunt to make the team's final roster.

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Teel is a project QB that will take years to develop, although his upside is nice. He improved during his career at Rutgers, but is still a QB that forces the ball too much and locks onto his primary receiver. Rowe is a big, scrambling QB from Nevada that has spent some time with the Bengals. He has an ugly release but is fairly accurate, does a good job going through his progressions, and he's not afraid to challenge a defense deep. The battle is up in the air, but one could make the final roster and one could be kept on the practice squad.

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DEF - NO - DE Bobby McCray top candidate for a breakout season

Source: Jeff Duncan, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jeff Duncan, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reminds us that Jevon Kearse - another rangy end from Florida - blossomed in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' system in Tennessee. The explosive DE Bobby McCray could enjoy similar results in New Orleans.

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Look for Williams to isolate the speedy McCray in mismatches across the line in pass-rush situations. McCray was considered a career underachiever during his time in college and is known to take too many plays off in the pros. Perhaps Gregg Williams can light a fire inside him and improve his poor technique.

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DEF - CLE - DC Ryan wants to unlock LB Kamerion Wimbley's potential

Source: Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Rob Ryan, defensive coordinator for the Browns, commented on unlocking the potential of Kamerion Wimbley. "We're playing Kamerion all over -- right, left and also in the "buck" [scheme], which moves him around. So he's had a lot of roles and we look forward to increasing his role. I think the young man has great ability to rush the passer ... he's a hard worker and he does what the coaches ask him to do. We ask him to concentrate on pushing the pocket and using more bull rush than speed rushing. You see him working on it every day. I believe he's only going to get better with great coaching. I think he's going to have a tremendous year for us."

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When Wimbley came out of Florida State many in the scouting community compared him to Robert Mathis from the Colts. He anticipates the snap count better than most and has outstanding speed off the edge. Wimbley displays quickness and agility when pursuing the QB and has an above average closing burst. Entering his 4th season Wimbley still must learn better leverage to take on and shed bigger Offensive Linemen. We'll see if Ryan can unlock his amazing potential.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and have a great Monday.

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See you tomorrow with the update.

J